Bloomington Town Hall, 10200 Penn Avenue, Bloomington, Minnesota

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Bloomington Town Hall
Post card showing Bloomington Town Hall, ca. 1900
1940
Address:	10200 Penn Avenue
City/locality- State/province	Bloomington, Minnesota
County- State/province:	Hennepin County, Minnesota
State/province:	Minnesota
Country:	United States
Year built:	1892
Primary Style:	Victorian
Historic Function:	Civic
Current Function:	Museum
Material of Exterior Wall Covering:	Wood
Material of Roof:	Asphalt Shingles
Material of Foundation:	Limestone

Bloomington Hennepin

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Bloomington Town Hall, 10200 Penn Avenue, Bloomington, Minnesota
(44.819255,-93.308822)

Bloomington Town Hall is located at Old Shakopee Road and Penn Avenue in Bloomington, Minnesota. The Town Hall is one of the few remaining examples of the Township period in the Twin City Metropolitan area and among the largest town halls in the State of Minnesota. It was continuously used for township, village and city government purposes from 1892 to 1964. Since 1964 it has been continuously used by the Bloomington Historical Society as a History Museum. In 2007, it was restored to its authentic 1892 historic character. The town hall will be the site of the 2008 Sesquicentennial celebration of Bloomington and the State of Minnesota's 150th anniversary.

History

The development of the railroad system following the Civil War brought in a new wave of immigrants. Commercial centers and cities developed around sawmills and flour mills located near water areas. The agricultural communities developed quickly. Bloomington became a town May 11, 1858, the same day Minnesota became a state. People continued to arrive in their ox carts and covered wagons; land sold for about $1 an acre. Soon a farming community developed with its citizens helping each other. They built their barns, held quilting bees and became civic~minded with town meetings. Communication by telegraph was now available. In 1892 a town hall was built near Old Shakopee Road, the former Indian trail. The Grange Hall and the Baillif general store stood nearby. At the turn of the century, the population had reached 1,000 persons.

Bloomington Town Hall was built in 1892 on land donated by the Baillif family, on the condition that it be used for township purposes. The town hall was used by the City of Bloomington until 1964 when the second city hall was built.

Photo Gallery

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Related Links

[1] Suburban World: the Norling Photos

[2] Bloomington Historical Society

[3] Bloomington Sesquicentennial

[4]Kodet Architecture restores the Hall

[5]New Life for an Old Hall